Discriminant analysis of depressive interactions

An observation system of 28 categories was developed to measure verbal behavior in dyadic interactions. It was hypothesized that this observation system should be sensitive to forms of depressive verbal interactions. Twenty-six distressed couples were investigated. In 13 of these distressed couples one partner suffered from major depressive disorders, and in 13 couples no partner was depressed. Three hundred twelve minutes of conversation of each couple were tape-recorded and categorized by six independent raters (with high reliability). With a discriminant analysis, it was possible to differentiate depression-specific frequencies of verbal behavior categories. Negative self-evaluations, negative well-being verbalizations, negative future orientation, agreements, and positive statements about the partner and the relationship were all behavior patterns typical for depressed people. The behavioral differences among depressed patients, their spouses, and nondepressed couples are discussed from an interactional framework.

Cell cycle age response of 9L cells to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and modification by alpha-difluoromethylornithine

We have determined the cell cycle age response of 9L rat brain tumor cells to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea using centrifugal elutriation to obtain populations of cells enriched in G1, S, and G2-M phases. While cells in all phases of the cell cycle were killed by 20 or 40 microM 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, cells in G1 and G2-M phases were more sensitive than cells in S phase. The differential sensitivity was more pronounced at the higher dose, which will markedly alter the distribution of cells through the cell cycle. In a clinical setting, this factor could affect the efficacy of either fractionated or multimodality protocols. Treatment with alpha-difluoromethylornithine, a polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, potentiated the cytotoxic effects of 20 microM 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea against G1- and G2-M- but not against S-phase cells; however, at a higher dose of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (40 microM), the cytotoxicity was potentiated for cells in all phases of the cell cycle. In alpha-difluoromethylornithine-treated cells, the phenomenon could be reversed by adding 1 mM putrescine 24 hr before treatment with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea. Therefore, the potentiation of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea cytotoxicity appears to be related to polyamine depletion.

Polyamines in early embryonic development: their relationship to nuclear multiplication rate, cell cycle traverse, and nucleolar formation in a dipteran egg

Polyamine synthesis and accumulation were assessed from fertilization until gastrulation in a dipteran egg (Calliphora erythrocephala Meigen). Spermidine synthesis was activated immediately after fertilization, generating a broad spermidine peak during early cleavage. This period is characterized by the most rapid nuclear multiplication known from animal material. Cleavage consists of nuclear multiplication only, and the egg remains syncytial until gastrulation. After nine synchronous nuclear divisions with a cycle length of 10 min, the cycle length is gradually increased to 20 min during the subsequent four parasynchronous nuclear divisions. The spermidine level decreased in parallel with this decreasing rate of nuclear division. The interphase of the next nuclear cycle is remarkably prolonged and lasts for more than 90 min, i.e., until after the onset of gastrulation. It consists of an initial short S phase followed by a longer G2 phase; G1 is extremely short or absent. During this prolonged interphase, spermidine content showed a biphasic pattern of changes with peaks during S and late G2. The S-phase peak also coincides with the first appearance of nucleoli during embryogenesis. The late-G2-phase peak coincides with the period of rapid cytokinesis, during which all nuclei in the peripheral layer of the syncytium become separated by membranes forming a cellular blastoderm. The polyamine pattern is consistent with the idea that the polyamines play an important role in DNA replication and in cytokinesis as well as in nucleolar formation.

Distressed couples with and without a depressed partner: an analysis of their verbal interaction

Depression in married individuals can be seen as the result of a self-perpetuating interpersonal system in which the information processes between marital partners is distorted. In order to study this theoretical formulation, we used a category system to analyze verbal interactions in distressed couples with or without a depressed partner. Our results show that communication in depressed couples is more uneven, negative, asymmetrical and centred on somatic and psychological complaints. The non-depressed partners in these couples perceived themselves as positive, but evaluated their depressed partners negatively. In the non-depressed couples there were no negative asymmetries and their interaction was even, supportive and positive. The results are discussed in an interactional framework based on social learning theory.

[Reliability and validity of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (author's transl)]

Reliability, validity and sensibility to variations over time were investigated for a German version of the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAS) Re-test reliability was high with r = .98. The correlation with the self-rating "Befindlichkeits-Skala" (Bf-S) was food with r = .79 whereas the correlation with the Hamilton-Depression-Rating-Scale only was r = .49. Sensitivity to mood changes over time was a good as with the Bf-S. According to these results the German version of the VAS can be used for the assessment of actual depressive mood. The main advantage of the scale is it's simplicity.

Acquired B antigen and polyagglutination in a apparently healthy blood donor

This work presents the second published report of an apparently healthy adult with an acquired B antigen. This case is unique because of the serial studies documenting the increase in strength of the B antigen, development of polyagglutinability, and absence of detectable gastrointestinal pathology. The cells of G.R., a 56-year-old caucasian female, came to our attention because of weak reactions with anti-B. Her cells were typed normal group A one year earlier. G.R.'s cells specifically absorbed an eluted anti-B. Her saliva contained A and H, but no B substance. The red cells were not polyagglutinable. Her cells did not react with the lectin Bandeiraea simplificolia. The cells reacted more strongly with anti-B from group A2 donors than A1. Her serum reacted with all normal group B cells, but was nonreactive with two other examples of acquired B cells. The autologous control and direct antiglobulin test were consistently negative. Samples examined three, six, and twelve months later showed the same serological results except that the acquired B antigen was stronger, although weaker than group B controls, and the cells were polyagglutinable. The cells failed to react with the following lectins Bandeiraea simplificolia I, Salvia sclarae, Salvia horminium and Soy bean lectin; but reacted with Arachis hypogea and Bandeiraea simplificolia II. Freezing and thawing the cells removed the polyagglutination but did not affect the B antigen. Normal A1 cells, but not O cells, became specifically agglutinable by anti-B after incubation with G.R.'s serum. G.R. is free from obvious pathology as determined by physical examination and gastrointestinal X-rays.

Diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma using the Mi-MarkR helix sampling technique

The traditional Papanicolaou smear achieves only 20--60% diagnostic accuracy when applied to endometrial carcinoma. Consequently, various specially designed methods for the early detection of endometrial carcinoma have been tried out. The present study was a comparison of conventional curettage with a new technique, the Milan-Markley helix method (Mi-MarkR) for the obtaining of material from the uterine cavity for both cytological and histological evaluation. The material included 474 samples from 401 patients. The method is designed as an office procedure and is not intended to replace diagnostic curettage. It should be used as an additional diagnostic procedure in high-risk groups and in the follow-up of such patients. With cytological examination of the material the specificity was found to be 97.6% and the sensitivity 85.7%.

Clinical trial of a test stick to control patient compliance under nomifensine treatment

A reliable and rapid way of assessing patient compliance is the use of a semi-quantitative drug determination in the urine. Almost all urines were positive to a microchromatographic test stick 2-6 hours after 25 or 100 mg nomifensine was taken orally by healthy normal volunteers. The test reliability between different observers varied between 76 and 100 per cent. False positive results were regularly observed with carbamazepine and triamterene, and false negatives or weakened reactions with lithium. The test is reliable and highly 'time-specific'. Its applicability is, therefore, restricted to very specific questions.

Definition of compliance

Several definitions of compliance are presented. These are Aspirational Compliance, Standard Compliance. Therapeutic Compliance, Attitudinal Compliance, Habitual Compliance and Therapist Compliance. The importance which the differentiation between these types of compliance holds for research and therapy is discussed.

Information and consent in schizophrenic patients in long-term treatment

Eighty-five schizophrenic patients being seen on a regular basis in an outpatient clinic were interviewed about information given to them concerning their treatment. The patients were asked about risks and side effects on neuroleptics, coping strategies in regard to side effects, therapeutic effects and diagnosis, knowledge about therapy, and personal evaluation of their information. The results are discussed with respect to both the legal and therapeutic aspects of patients' information. Issues considered include the extent to which highly compliant patients know important facts about their treatment, how satisfied they are with the information given to them, and the implications for informed consent.

Multiple sclerosis in American blacks

In the period 1968 through 1977, multiple sclerosis (MS) was diagnosed in 349 patients at the Henry Ford Hospital. Of these 312 were accepted in the study and 53 were blacks. In this medical center where the overall population consists of approximately 50% blacks, the MS blacks comprised only 17% of the total MS population. White and black MS patients did not differ significantly for clinical characteristics of MS or for death rates. The MS black patients were divided in two groups, Northern- and Southern-born. The mean age of migration was 11.9 years. Southern-born blacks lived an average of 20 years in the North before the symptoms of MS began. Northern-born MS patients had a 5.5 earlier age of onset and the diagnosis was made 9 years sooner when compared with the Southern-born MS blacks. The Southern-born MS group more often showed a chronic progressive course wither initially or following a few exacerbations and remissions. These findings suggest that a possible genetic predisposition, as well as a geographically determined exposure to an environmental agent, may be related not only to the risk of developing MS, but in the American blacks may also influence the age of onset, the age of diagnosis, and even the clinical course of MS.

Cytocidal effect of alpha-methylornithine, a competitive inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, on ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vivo

The antiproliferative effect of alpha-methylornithine, an inhibitor of the initial and rate-limiting step in polyamine biosynthesis, was studied on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells grown in vivo. To assess drug-induced cell lethality, the loss of 125I from mice harboring 5-[125I] iodo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled mouse tumor cells was determined during the course of alpha-methylornithine treatment. Mice that received the drug showed a significant increase in their rate of 125I excretion as compared to controls. This suggests that alpha-methylornithine kills an additional fraction of tumor cells beyond the fraction normally dying.

[Models for the integration into therapy of work performed by helpers within the framework of psychiatric wards (author's transl)]

Several models for the integration of the work done by nurses and attendants into therapy are presented. In particular, the use of the "Scale for Behavioral Observation in Wards" is described. Important modes of behavior, which are relevant for therapy, can be trained for the benefit of nurses and attendants by observing the patients' behavioral patterns. The approach described in this article can improve the co-operation between the psychiatrist and nurses or helpers.

Cytologic differential diagnosis of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma and bronchogenic adenocarcinoma

In order to estimate the possibility of a cytologic differential diagnosis of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma and bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, 121 histologically proven cases of these two types of lung cancer were studied. Certain features of the tumor cells were used as differential diagnostic parameters. By means of these features it was possible to correctly type 90% of the bronchiolo-alveolar carcinomas and 72% of the bronchogenic adenocarcinomas. The most striking characteristics of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma was the uniformity of cells, the occurrence of such cells in tightly packed clusters, the absence of prominent nucleoli and also the scarcity of single tumor cells. Thus, it seems possible to make a correct cytologic differential diagnosis between these two types of lung tumors with high accuracy.